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From an article at http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25217641/agents-take-why-dez-bryants-threat-to-miss-games-isnt-misguided
Why a holdout could work in Dez's favor
The consensus opinion is Bryant missing games would be misguided because the July 15 deadline prevents him from improving his bargaining position.
That's false.
Bryant isn't restricted to just playing for his $12.823 million franchise tender with the Cowboys this season once the deadline has passed. He is allowed to negotiate his one-year salary with the Cowboys and other conditions relating to his franchise player status. Fighting for a clause that prevents the Cowboys from designating Bryant as a franchise or transition player in 2016 (i.e.; a prohibition clause) is a legitimate reason to potentially lose approximately $750,000 a week during the regular season. Obtaining a prohibition clause would shift leverage in favor of Bryant next offseason.
The Cowboys will have a hard time justifying to Condon that this clause shouldn't be a part of Bryant's one-year contract. A precedent was set by including the prohibition in Greg Hardy's one-year deal. It was unnecessary to give Hardy the clause since the Cowboys were essentially bidding against themselves for him.
Prohibition clauses aren't common for franchise players. Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was the last franchise player to receive one when the Tennessee Titans franchised him in 2008. His clause had conditions. It was triggered by Haynesworth making the Pro Bowl, having at least 60 percent defensive playing time, or 53 percent defensive playing time and the Titans winning at least 10 games or ranking in the top five in total defense.
Linebacker Lance Briggs and cornerback Asante Samuel had clauses similar to Haynesworth's when they were franchised in 2007 by the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots. Samuel's prohibition clause was triggered by him having at least 60 percent playtime on defense or the Patriots winning at least 12 games. Samuel held out until the end of August for his clause.
Briggs' clause was predicated on him having at least 75 percent playtime on defense. Offensive tackle Jeff Backus and cornerback Nate Clements had prohibition clauses without any conditions in 2006 when they were respectively franchised by the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills.
It's never happened before but it would be interesting to see whether Bryant and Condon place enough value on a prohibition clause that Bryant would take a one-year salary for less than his franchise tender in order to get one. One option could be a discounted salary in the neighborhood of the $10.971 million transition tag for wide receivers. Extracting a concession from the Cowboys regarding future freedom could be the difference between Bryant playing under a second franchise tag and having the opportunity to get a long-term deal at his true market value next year.
Bryant would be able to command a contract averaging at least $13 million per year with over $35 million in guarantees on the open market.
Any significant contract movement is most likely to occur as the July 15 deadline approaches. Most franchise players' long-term deals are signed in the eleventh hour.
One development that could accelerate the time table and change how the Cowboys are dealing with Bryant is Condon finding a team willing to bring him in for a visit to discuss an offer sheet. The possibility is extremely remote because wide receiver Joey Galloway in 2000 was the last franchise player to move to another team for full compensation when the Seattle Seahawks received two first-round picks from the Cowboys. 2016 and 2017 first-round picks would be Dallas' compensation from the signing team with an unmatched offer sheet.
An offer sheet is still a possibility after the July 15 deadline. Bryant would have until the Tuesday after the 10th week of the regular season (November 17) to sign one.
Why a holdout could work in Dez's favor
The consensus opinion is Bryant missing games would be misguided because the July 15 deadline prevents him from improving his bargaining position.
That's false.
Bryant isn't restricted to just playing for his $12.823 million franchise tender with the Cowboys this season once the deadline has passed. He is allowed to negotiate his one-year salary with the Cowboys and other conditions relating to his franchise player status. Fighting for a clause that prevents the Cowboys from designating Bryant as a franchise or transition player in 2016 (i.e.; a prohibition clause) is a legitimate reason to potentially lose approximately $750,000 a week during the regular season. Obtaining a prohibition clause would shift leverage in favor of Bryant next offseason.
The Cowboys will have a hard time justifying to Condon that this clause shouldn't be a part of Bryant's one-year contract. A precedent was set by including the prohibition in Greg Hardy's one-year deal. It was unnecessary to give Hardy the clause since the Cowboys were essentially bidding against themselves for him.
Prohibition clauses aren't common for franchise players. Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was the last franchise player to receive one when the Tennessee Titans franchised him in 2008. His clause had conditions. It was triggered by Haynesworth making the Pro Bowl, having at least 60 percent defensive playing time, or 53 percent defensive playing time and the Titans winning at least 10 games or ranking in the top five in total defense.
Linebacker Lance Briggs and cornerback Asante Samuel had clauses similar to Haynesworth's when they were franchised in 2007 by the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots. Samuel's prohibition clause was triggered by him having at least 60 percent playtime on defense or the Patriots winning at least 12 games. Samuel held out until the end of August for his clause.
Briggs' clause was predicated on him having at least 75 percent playtime on defense. Offensive tackle Jeff Backus and cornerback Nate Clements had prohibition clauses without any conditions in 2006 when they were respectively franchised by the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills.
It's never happened before but it would be interesting to see whether Bryant and Condon place enough value on a prohibition clause that Bryant would take a one-year salary for less than his franchise tender in order to get one. One option could be a discounted salary in the neighborhood of the $10.971 million transition tag for wide receivers. Extracting a concession from the Cowboys regarding future freedom could be the difference between Bryant playing under a second franchise tag and having the opportunity to get a long-term deal at his true market value next year.
Bryant would be able to command a contract averaging at least $13 million per year with over $35 million in guarantees on the open market.
Any significant contract movement is most likely to occur as the July 15 deadline approaches. Most franchise players' long-term deals are signed in the eleventh hour.
One development that could accelerate the time table and change how the Cowboys are dealing with Bryant is Condon finding a team willing to bring him in for a visit to discuss an offer sheet. The possibility is extremely remote because wide receiver Joey Galloway in 2000 was the last franchise player to move to another team for full compensation when the Seattle Seahawks received two first-round picks from the Cowboys. 2016 and 2017 first-round picks would be Dallas' compensation from the signing team with an unmatched offer sheet.
An offer sheet is still a possibility after the July 15 deadline. Bryant would have until the Tuesday after the 10th week of the regular season (November 17) to sign one.